Asian spa music is specifically known for it's use of flutes and other wooden wind instruments; it's these instruments that separate Asian spa music from most other types of spa music. But this style of music has several other elements, many of which are common to all forms of spa music. They include sound effects like waterfalls, chirping birds and crashing waves.
Asian spa music--and all other spa music, for that matter--is meant to put the listener in a relaxed state. Since the primary listeners are spa-goers, who are undergoing some type of treatment or therapy to improve their mental, physical and/or spiritual well-being, spa music is geared toward increasing and reinforcing positive energy.
Spa music is known to put a person's mind at ease and allow them to mentally transport themselves to an exotic, relaxing locale. Effects of Asian spa music on humans can include: a state of relaxation, calm, rejuvenation, tranquility and even euphoria. Spa music is also meant as an aid to stress relief. Even the song titles are geared toward reinforcing positive thoughts; examples of names include "Quiet Contemplation," "Euphoric Balance" and "The Essence of Being."
There are other types of themed spa music, with each having individual elements that separate them from the others. For instance, Asian spa music contains a higher portion of wood instruments; Caribbean spa has more incidences of steel drums; and Polynesian spa is more known for its prevalent usage of water-based nature sounds, like waterfalls, babbling brooks and crashing waves.
There are numerous companies in the U.S. and elsewhere that create and market Asian and other types of spa music. The music, which also sometimes goes by other names, including meditation music, New Age and relaxation music, is available via various vendors, including iTunes, amazon.com, CD Universe and dozens of other outlets.